Chiropractic adjusting table



Aug. 24, 1937. H. E. sAAk CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTING TABLE Filed July 29, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 24 1937. SAAK 2,091,014

CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTING TABLE Filed July 29, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 24, 1937. s 2,091,014

- CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTING TABLE Filed July 29, 1936 4'Sheets-Sheed 3 IIIIIIII/ Ill III/III] HEN/er E. 644K, a/M H ram/vs):

Aug.24, 1937. H, g AAK 2,091,014

CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTING TABLE Filed July 29, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 //V VEN ra/a flaw/e r f. 5 199K,

WM mm Patented Aug. 24, 1937 UNZTEE STATES CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTING TABLE Henry E. Saak, Maplewood, Mo.

Application July 29, 1936, Serial--.No..93,189

5 Claims.

The object of my invention is to make a table to be used by chiropractors in making spinal adjustments. Among many more specific objects'is to devise a table which will be convenient and comfortable for the patient and efiicient for the operator. A patient, in order to secure a spinal adjustment and other treatments from the chiropractor must lie flat, face downward on the table. The head, chest and feet are supported on pads or cushions which cushions must be adjustable so as to raise or lower the head, chest and feet selectively and independently. These cushions must be so positioned on the table that they may be slid longitudinally relative the table a and means must be provided to secure them in any selected position. The table must be so mounted that it may be rotated in a horizontal plane, either clockwise or anticlockwise through 360 degrees, means must be provided for selecg9 ti-vely raising or lowering the table when a'patient is lying on the table with a minimum of effort on the part of the operator. The table must be so constructed that it may be tilted to a position substantially vertical so that a patient may stand 35 on a step at the lower table end, when tilted, with his face toward the table, and leaning against the table, so that the operator may easily rotate the table on its support to a horizontal or any intermediate position. This operation is ac- 30 complished by means of simple controls for the operator; there being one control on each side of the table. Obviously, when the table is in a horizontal position, with a patient lying on it, the patient will be lying face downward, expos- 3; ing his spine to the operator. All the means necessary to accomplish these ends are herein described.

Additional specific objects consist in supplying hydraulic means for raising or lowering the table 40 and hydraulic means for tilting'or rotating the table, the controls for which means are simple levers which may be operated by the flick of a finger. Both these hydraulic means are operated by one electric motor and fluid pump. The

15 same fluid is used by both hydraulic means. A simple two-way valve controls the fluid flow from one hydraulic means to the other. By these means, the structure will accomplish the results intended. The table is made foolproof to a 50 degree not heretofore accomplished because the table cannot be tilted when in its elevated position, because the hydraulic tilting means cannot operate in this position, since the fluid medium for tilting is being used in the hydraulic elevating means and because the two-way valve preventsthejfluid fromppassing to the tilting-means when the table is in its elevated position.

Furthermore, a jack preferably of the hydraulic typecsuchgas usedin liftingautomobiles for tire repairsi-is; employed to easily raise andlower cushionsgon the table. The weight of the patients body supported bythe cushions may be easily raised or lowered thereby. A bifurcated head ,cushionqis used ;in order :to support the patients" head on the forehead and permit the nose and mouth to extend into the space between the-:bifurcated .portionsrand permits the patients .cheeks to rest on the bifurcated portions.

With:;2th.e5ei and other objects in view, my in vention has relationto certain novel features of construction ;;and arrangement of parts, which will -be--hereinafter more fully described and pointed outvin the claims and illustrated in the drawings in-which:

Fig; 1";iS a .plan view of the device, the table being; shown in horizontal position.

-Fig.;'2;-;is;a'side elevation thereof, the broken lines rindicatin-g'moved positions of. the various cushions.

-.Figr'LidsaWieW-in vertical section, the table top being shown in tilted position. r-Fig. -=is-;a.-similar view with the left-end portion of' the table top being shown broken away, thetablebeing-again shown in horizontal position 'butelevatedverticallyfrom its Fig. 2position.

-y-Fig. 61s; an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 4, illustrating in more detail the region surrounding thepumps and valve'mechanism.

Figs"? is ;a similar view corresponding to the -Fig-.--5 position of said parts.

-Fig.:8 isa :verticalsection on the line 88 of 'Fig. 4 and illustrates the valve setting for the forwardmovement of the horizontal piston.

"Fig.--=.9gisalike view illustrating the valve set- ,tingfor the {return-of the horizontal piston.

Fig. 10'is a vertical section on line Ill-I0 of .Fig.--9. v

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on line ll-l I of Fig. 4. r

Fig. .12 is an enlarged central section through a portion of the left end head rest cushion carrier, showing the means of changing its position and looking it in place.

Fig. .-13'is a sectional view on line l3-I3 of Fig. 2.

The numeral I4 designates as a whole my improved chiropractic adjusting table top support and table top, which as will be seen, may be rotated as a unit about its center throughout 360 degrees, and may be tilted to various positions, and can be elevated vertically, as desired.

The table top proper indicated as I5 is composed of two side frame channel members I6 tied together at one end by a cross bar and tie rods designated as IT, and at the opposite end by a foot rest I8, as shown. The patient stands upon the foot rest l8, when the table is in its Fig. 4 position, as will be described more fully, hereinafter.

Numeral I9 designates a circumferential base plate, to which is aflixed a vertical pedestal 20, which is in the form of a cylinder. Bolted or otherwise fixed to the inturned flanges of a hollow piston 2| is a casting 22 generally cylindrical in contour, except at its left end where a depending horizontal extension 23 thereof supports a motor 24. Numeral 25 designates a cord to be plugged into a wall socket for furnishing current to the motor 24. Numeral 26 designates a hand switch also attached to theend of a cord, which cord is connected to said motor 24, whereby the operator can stop and start the motor at will. Details of the switch, motor, etc. are not shown since they are well known.

Numeral 21 indicates the motor shaft, which is joined by a universal coupling 28 to the drive shaft 29 of a suitable pump 30, mounted within a portion of casting 22, as shown in the drawings. It is deemed unnecessary to illustrate or describe the details of the pump, as the pump is conventional. To the intake side of the pump 39 is fixed a vertical pipe 3|, which extends to within a slight distance of the bottom 32 of the hollow piston 2|. The output side of the pump leads by means of pipe 33 to a two-way valve 34, which controls the movements of the table top support and table top. Numeral 35 indicates a pipe, which leads from said valve into the cylinder portion 36 of casting 22, inwhich portion a hollow piston 31, as will be described, serves to tilt or rotate the table top to any desired angle between the horizontal and that shown in Fig. 4, which illustrates the extreme right position of said piston.

At 38 is shown a short down-turned pipe, and at 39 a long vertical pipe, both of which also extend from the valve 34, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 6 and '7. The pipe 39 extends through the bottom of cylinder 2| and is in communication with oil chamber 40 formed by the pedestal support 20. a I V A predetermined amount of oil is, of course, present in the combined vertical and horizontal piston arrangement. An inspection of Figs. 6 and '7 will show the location of said oil under certain conditions. In Fig. 6 the oil is being pumped from the piston 2| into. the cylinder 36 (as indicated by the arrows) forcing piston 31 to the right. In Fig. 7, as indicated by the broken arrows, the oil has been exhausted from the cylinder 35 back into the piston 2|, and is being pumped from said cylinder 2| into chamber causing cylinder 2| to rise.

In the Fig. 2 position of the table top practically all of the oil is contained in cylinder-2|. The description will follow later covering the operation of the device, which will clarify these movements.

Numeral 4| designates a cross pivot pin, which extends from one side of frame Hi to the other, ands'upports one end of the table top by means of brackets 42 depending therefrom, the pin passing through the side walls of casting 22. Said casting 22, it will be seen, therefore, constitutes the main support for the table top, since a pair of integral lugs 43, formed on the table top support (see Figs. 2, 8 and 9), and which extend laterally also support the other end of the table top on the table top support, when in horizontal position.

Numeral M designates a roller with ball bearings mounted on a transverse pin fixed in a pair of integral upstanding ears formed on the piston 31. A cross-plate 45, welded or otherwise fixed to the table top frame I5, has a depending arm 45a, pivoted on the cross pin 4|. The roller engaging edge 46 of this arm terminates in a hook portion 41, see Figs. 4 and 5. When the table top is in its extreme tilted position, the hook portion 41 partially encircles the roller 44 stabilizing the table topin this position.

Referring now to Figs. 8, 9 and 10 particularly, a novel feature of this invention is the simple and efficient method employed to set the valve for raising and lowering the lift and tilting the table top. A pair of bufurcated arms 48 and 49 are pivotally mounted on stud 5i fixed in a vertical Wall portion 5| of the casting 22. For convenience of manipulation each arm has afiixed thereto, at its outer end, a knob 52. The upper fork 53 of arm 48 is provided on its lower edge with a predetermined number of rack teeth 54, which mesh with a pinion 55 fixed to a horizontal shaft 56 extending through wall 5|. As shown at 5?, the other fork is offset near the pivot 5|), in order that the said upper fork 53 may be aligned with fork 58 of arm 49. The latter is provided along its upper edge with a rack 59 comprising the same number of teeth as carried by the fork 53, likewise meshing with said pinion 55.

Numeral 50 designates a comparatively heavy coil spring interposed between the wall 5| and the lowerextremities of the arms 48 and 49, the spring surrounding the stud as shown. The function of said spring is to maintain the arms in their Fig. 8 or raised, as well as in their Fig. 9 or lowered position, as desired. It is obvious that either the arm 58 or the arm 49 may be dispensed with. However, provision of a pair of such arms enables the operator to manipulate the valve from either side of the table, which -is a distinct advantage. It is, of course, apparent that the arms always move together, regardless of which knob 52 is raised or depressed.

Any suitable stop or stops may be employed to limit the upward and downward stroke of the arms. The drawings indicate the downward movement as being limited by the edges of extension 25:! of casting 22, and the upward movement by the contour of the upper forks as indicated at numeral 5|.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 6, '7 and 11, it will be seen that the valve ad is mounted with its core at right angles to the horizontal center line of the piston 35. It is also seen that it is a simple two-way valve, since but two settings thereof are required. Mounted on the extension 532 of the valve core is a bevel gear 53 in mesh with a similar gear fixed to the shaft 56, hereinbefore mentioned.

By this arrangement raising or lowering the arms 48 or 49 will rotate the valve core approximately 90 degrees to the right or to the left, as viewed in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings. It is understood, or course, that this particular arrangement is not to be considered limiting, since I have found in actual practice that the valve 34 may be mounted in a plane parallel with the center line of the piston 36: In that case. the bevel gearing maybe entirelydispensed. with, shaft 56 being directly connected with core stem 62, which would then be in alignment therewith. In the latter event, of;course, the parts 48 to 6|, inclusive remain as illustrated.

Numeral 64 designatesa removable cover plate closing an opening in the casting 22, permitting inspection of the pump, valve, etc., andfor replenishing the oil, if necessary. Although omitted in the drawings for the sake of clarity, an inverted U-shapedhood' of thin metal may be placed over the entire casting 22, with necessary openings or slots therein for the arms and 49, ears 33 and the arm 45a. At 65-are shown a pair of handles mounted on the side frames l6- for the convenience of the patient. Referring now to Figs. 1 to 5, there is indicated at 66 a carriage, which supports a bifurcated head rest or cushion 67 and a chest rest or cushion 69. A similar carriage 69 has mounted thereon a weight supporting cushion l0, and a knee flexer or Each carriage comprises a channel shaped base E2 of a width slightly less than the transverse distance between the inner opposing faces of the channel shaped side frame members. Ball bearing rollers 13 are mounted in the depending flanges of the carriage bases 12, and extend into the channel shaped side members l6, riding between the upper and lower flanges of said channels. Welded or otherwise secured to each base is a housing 12a containing a pinion l4 fixed to cross shaft journaled in the opposite sides of said housing. This pinion may be rotated in either direction by either of two handles 16, one of which is coupled to the shaft 15 at each end.

:The handles l6 are again in duplicate for each carriage, so that the pinions I4 may be rotated from either side of the table.

Numeral i1 designates a rack bar, extending along the center line of the table top, and fixed.

in any suitable manner to the cross brace I! at one end, and at the other to the cross plate 45'; As shown more clearly in Fig. 12, the rack bar'is below the web portions of the carriage bases 12. Therefore, an opening 18 is formed in each base below the housing 120. through which the pinions 14 extend, and mesh with the stationary rack bar 11-. It is obvious that rotation of the shaft 15, by means of the handles 16, will move the carriage, riding on the rollers 13, laterally Into variousposi- ,tions as desired. Fig. 2 indicates in broken lines an extreme right position of the carriages.

In order to lock each carriage in any position, a second handle 19 is fixed toeach end of the cross shafts 89, also journ-aled in'the sides of the housings 15a. Above the rack, but spaced away from each pinion, there is fixed to each shaft 89 a dog 8! provided with teeth, which cooperates with the rack teeth to lock the carriage'in place. To release the carriage, the operator depresses the handle 19 to disengage the dog 8|, before manipulating the handles 16.

The cushion 68 is mounted upon. a standard 82 secured to base 12. The head rest 61 is pivoted at 93 on said standard, and may be raised or lowered relative to the table top. Means for accomplishing this is designated generally at 84.

Pivotally connected to a lug on-the housing 15a" is an externally threaded rod 85, which works in an internally threaded tube 86, providedwitha' handle 81 for manual operation. The tube 86 has an integralcollar 88 thereon, which worksagainst the underside of a collar 89, mounted in extensions 99, of the supporting frame 9| of the head rest cushion as shown in Figs. 2 and 13; By the arrangement described, manipulation of the handle 8'iwill cause lowering or raising of the head rest as required. e

A novel feature of this invention resides in the construction of the head rest cushion per se. A patient lying face downward on a table heretofore found the head rest disagreeably uncomfortable. Constructed in the general shape of a rectangle, such a head rest covers the patients entire countenance, makes breathing difficult, if not almost'impossible, and is generally unsatisfactory. 1

An inspection of Figs. land 4 will show that the presentembodiment overcomes these objections. By constructing the cushion as shown, the two branches 92 and 93 form an opening 94 therebetweernof a size to accommodate the average persons nose, eyes and mouth. The forehead of the patient reposes on the portion of the cushion designated 61a, his chest upon the cushion 68, and the remainder of his body on the cushions l9 and H. It is readily apparent that with this arrangement, a patient. can breathe in comfort and relax while being treated. A jack 95, of any suitable type, is mounted on the carriage 69 for raising. and:lowering the cushion 19, said jack being provided with an accessible handle 96 for this purpose. The supporting frame 91 of said cushion is mounted on two standards 98 fixed to the side frames [6, said frame pivoting about pins 99 as shown. Pivotally connected to an ear on theframe 91 is the supporting frame I99 of the knee flexer cushion H; Secured to the underside of the frame I09 are a pair of curved runners lfll, which ride along the top surfaces of the side frame members l6. A comparison of Figs. 4 and 5 will sufiice to understand the operation of the knee fiexen The operation of the device is as follows:

Assume that the table top is'horizontal and in its lowered position, as shown in Fig. 2, and that the plug on. the end of cord has been insertedin awall socket, thereby furnishing current to the motor. The patient to be treated liesprone on the cushions. The arms 48 and 49 arein. the position illustrated in Fig. 2 and the control valve is in the corresponding Fig. '7 position. Practically all of the oil, however, is in cylinder. 2|, the piston 3! is at the extreme left, the motor, and, therefore, the pump are not in operation; The operator can revolve the table toplaterally 360 degrees, although in practice this is never done. The various cushions, of course, have been adjusted as required. This phase of the operation has been gone into fully heretofore, and it is deemed unnecessary to elaborate thereon. In order to elevate the table to the position shown in Fig. 5, the operator merely presses the button on the hand switch 26, which starts the motor and consequently the pump. The fluid is now drawn from the cylinder 2| through intake pipe 3!, through the pump into valve 34, by means'of pipe 33, through the valve and into pipe 39, thence into chamber causing the piston 2-! to lift' the-table top slowly. The capacity of chamber 40 is considerably greater than that of reservoir 21, obviating any danger of elevating the piston too high. The tabletop may, of'course', be positioned at any .desired height between the upper and lower extremes, by again manipulatingv the hand switch 26 to shut off the motor and pump, thereby arresting further upward movement of piston 2|.

To permit lowering of the lift to its Fig. 2 position, the arms 48 and 49 are now raised to their Fig. 8 position, the valve assuming the corresponding Fig. 6 position. The weight of the table top, plus that of the patient thereon, now forces the fluid beneath piston 2| in chamber 40 to rise in pipe 39, thence it goes through valve 34 and out pipe 38, returning into cylinder 2 l If it is now desired to tilt the table with the patient thereon to the Fig. 4 position, no change is made in the valve arrangement from that just described. In other words the Fig. 8 position of arms 48 and 49 is not disturbed, and, therefore, valve 34 remains in its Fig. 6 position. The operator manipulates the hand switch 26 to start the motor and pump. The fluid in cylinder 2! is now drawn through pipe 3|, pump 30, pipe 33, valve 34, pipe 35 and into the cylinder 36, forcing piston 31 to the right. Roller 44 mounted on said piston rides along the edge of arm 45a slowly raising the table top, as 'is apparent. The table may be halted at any intermediate angle by means of the hand switch. The patient during this operation stands upon the foot rest or step l8 and grasps the handles 65. The table top is returned to its horizontal position as follows:

The handles 48 and 49 are depressed to their Fig. 9 position. The valve again assumes the position illustrated in Fig. '7. The weight of the table top, plus that of the patient now slowly forces the piston 31 to the left, the fluid in cylinder 36 draining through pipe 35, valve 34 and pipe 38 back into the reservoir 2|. While the drawings illustrate the preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the exact details shown, as numerous changes might be made without departing from the scope of this invention.

What I claim and mean to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a pedestal, a table top support secured thereon, a table top hingedly secured to said table top support, a table top frame secured to said table top, a hydraulic piston secured in said table top support and means for supplying hydraulic pressure behind said piston, a roller mounted on a pin fixed in ears formed on said piston, an arm depending from said table top frame and pivoted on the hinge connection between the table top support and the table top, the roller engaging edge of said depending arm terminating in a hook, said roller in rolling engagement on the roller engaging edge of said arm and said hook, said roller and depending arm together with its hook being in such relationship that when said piston moves outwardly carrying said roll-er, that said table top will be rotated about its hinged connection with said table top support to a substantially vertical position.

2. In combination with a pedestal, a table top support, a table top hingedly secured to said table top support, means for elevating said table top support and rotating said table top on said table top support, which means comprises a hollow piston secured to said table top support and positioned in said pedestal in spaced relationship therewith, a. motor, a pump, and a two-way valve mounted in said table top support, said motor so positioned as to operate said pump and said pump in fluid engagement with said two-way valve, an

intake pipe extending from said pump into said hollow piston, said piston in sliding engagement in'said pedestal, 'apipe extending from. and in fluid engagement with said two-way valve and terminating below. and through the floor of said hollow piston, a cylinder, a second piston in sliding engagement in said cylinder formed on said table top support,"a pipe connecting said two-way valve with the inner ends of the cylinder formed on said table top support, a pipe in fluid communication with said two-way valve and terminating in the space above said hollow piston, which in turn is in fluid communication with said hollow piston, an arm, a roller secured to said second piston was to engage said arm secured to said table top and pivotally secured to said table top support so'that when said second piston is moved outwardly said table top will be rotated about its pivotal connection with said table topsupport, a fluid positioned in said cylinder systems so that when said table is in its lowest position it may be raised by operating said motor and pump and forcing the fluid beneath said hollow cylinder to raise the piston in said hollow cylinder and so that when the table top support is in its lowest position that said table top may be rotated by actuating the motor and pump and forcing said fluid from the hollow pedestal through said two-way valve behind the second piston.

3. In combination with a table top, side frame members secured thereto, two standards mounted thereon, acushion, said cushion pivotally secured to said standards, a knee flexer pivotally secured to said cushion, a pair of curved runners secured to the underside of said knee flexer, which runners of said knee flexer ride on the top surfaces of the side frame members of the table top, a jack mounted on the table top for 1 raising and lowering the cushion, having its upper movable element in contact with the lower face of said cushion.

4. In combination with a pedestal, a table top support, a table top hingedly secured to said table top support, means for elevating said table top support and tilting said table top on said table top support, which means comprises a hollow piston positioned in said pedestal in spaced relationship, a pump, a motor and a two way valve mounted in said tabletop support, said motor so positioned as to operate said pump, said pump being in fluid communication with said two way valve, an intake pipe extending from said pump into said hollow piston, said piston in sliding engagement in said pedestal, a pipe extending from and in fluid engagementwith said twoway valve and terminating below said hollow piston, a cylinder, a secondpiston in sliding engagement in said cylinder formed on said table top support, a pipe connecting said two way valve with the inner ends of the cylinder formed on said table top support, a pipe in fluid communication with said two way valve, and terminating in the space above said hollow piston, which in turn is in fluid communication with said hollow piston, an arm secured to said table top and pivotally secured to said tabletop support, a roller secured tosaid second piston, so as to engage said arm, so that when said second piston is moved outwardly said table top will be rotated about its pivotal connection with said table top support, a fluid positioned in said cylinder systems so that when said table is in its lowest position it may be raised by the operation of said motor and pump to force the fluidbeneath said hollow cylinder to raise the piston 'in'said' hollow cylinder, and so that when the table' 'top support is in its lowest position that said table top may be tilted-by actuating said motor and pump and forcing said fluid from the hollow pedestal through said two way valve behind said second piston, side frame members secured to said table top, two standards mounted thereon, a cushion, said cushion pivotally secured to said standards, a knee flexer pivotally secured to said cushion, a pair of curved runners secured to the inn-er side of said knee fleXer, which runners of said knee fiexer ride on the top surfaces of the side frame members of the table top, a jack mounted on the table top for raising and lowering the cushion, said jack having its upper movable element in contact with the lower face of said cushion.

5. In combination with a pedestal, a table top support, a table top hingedly secured to said table top support, means for elevating said table top support and tilting said table top on said table top support, which means comprises a hollow piston positioned in said pedestal in spaced relationship, a pump, a motor and a two way valve mounted in said table top support, said motor so positioned as to operate said pump, said pump being in fluid communication with said two way valve, an intake pipe extending from said pump into said hollow piston, said piston in sliding engagement in said pedestal, a pipe extending from and in fluid engagement with said two way valve and terminating below said hollow piston,

a cylinder, a second piston in sliding engagement in said cylinder formed on said table top support, a pipe connecting said two way valve with the inner ends of the cylinder formed on said table top support, a pipe in fluid communication with said two way valve, and terminating in the space above said hollow piston, which in turn is in fluid communication with said hollow piston, an arm secured to said table top and pivotally secured to said table top support, a roller secured to said second piston, so as to engage said arm, so that when said second piston is moved outwardly said table top will be tilted about its pivotal connection with said table top support, a fluid positioned in said cylinder sys-.

terns so that when said table is in its lowest position it may be raised by the operation of said motor and pump to force the fluid beneath said hollow cylinder to raise the piston in said hollow cylinder, and so that when the table top support is in its lowest position that said table top may be rotated by actuating said motor and pump and forcing said fluid from the hollow pedestal through said two way valve behind said second piston, side frame members secured to said table top, two standards mounted thereon, a cushion, said cushion pivotally secured to said standards, a knee flexer pivotally secured to said cushion, a pair of curved runners secured to the inner side of said knee flexer, which runners of said knee flexer ride on the top surfaces of the side frame members of the table top, a jack mounted on the table top for raising and lowering the cushion, said jack having its upper movable element in contact with the lower face of said cushion, a rack bar secured to said table,

top, cushions mounted on said standards which are in operative engagement with said rack bar.

HENRY E. SAAK. 

